Miles Starforth

McDonald, Sam Allardyce’s assistant at Sunday’s final-day opponents West Ham United, sent Carver a message ahead of the game at St James’s Park.

Neil (McDonald) has sent me a text, but I’ve not even replied to him. He’s my mate, but I’m not interested in West Ham United and Sam (Allardyce).

John Carver

But Carver – whose side need to win to be certain of their Premier League status – has not responded to the text from McDonald, who started his playing career at Newcastle before moving to Everton in the late 1980s.

“I’ve not spoken to anyone,” said head coach Carver. “Neil has sent me a text, but I’ve not even replied to him.

“He’s my mate, but I’m not interested in West Ham United and Sam.”

Allardyce, sacked by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley in 2008, is tipped to leave West Ham this summer when his contract expires. And the 60-year-old, still aggreived at the manner of his St James’s Park exit, will want his team to sent a pointed message to the club’s owners before a decision is made on his future.

Carver, however, feels Allardyce’s motivation levels will be no different to normal.

“I know Sam has been the manager here, and Neil McDonald is at the club, who is a good friend of mine,” said Carver.

“But you want to win games, no matter who you’re playing against.

“And even when people are saying there’s nothing at stake, you still want to win. Your pride tells you that

“This weekend is going to be no different, but I’m not bothered about what he’s thinking or who is coming here. I’m just bothered about us, I really am.”